Creatinase

In enzymology, a creatinase (EC3.5.3.3) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are creatine and H₂O, whereas its two products are sarcosine and urea.

The native enzyme was shown to be made up of two subunit monomers via SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weights of these subunits was estimated to be 47,000 g/mol. The enzyme works as a homodimer, and is induced by choline chloride. Each monomer of creatinase has two clearly defined domains, a small N-terminal domain, and a large C-terminal domain. Each of the two active sites is made by residues of the large domain of one monomer and some residues of the small domain of the other monomer. It's been suggested that a sulfhydryl group is located on or near the active site of the enzyme following inhibition experiments. Creatinase has been found to be most active at pH 8 and is most stable between ph 6-8 for 24 hrs. at 37 degrees.